Jan. 13, 2006
EUGENE, Ore. (AP) - Aaron Brooks scored 19 points to lead shorthanded Oregon to a 67-53 win against Arizona State Thursday night at McArthur Court.
Malik Hairston added 16 points for the Ducks (8-8 overall, 2-2 Pacific-10), and scored seven straight during a 13-5 run late in the second half that increased Oregon's lead from 51-44 to 64-49 with 3:25 to play.
Bryce Taylor also scored 14 for the Ducks, who were without starting forward Maarty Leunen (ankle injury) and reserve forward Ivan Johnson, who missed his second straight game following a suspension for not living up to personal expectations previously established between himself and Oregon coach Ernie Kent.
Still, the Ducks jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the opening minutes and never trailed in the game, winning for only the second time in their last six games. They also allowed the fewest points since giving up 23 in a season-opening win against Savannah State on Nov. 20.
Antwi Atuahene scored a season-high 21 to lead the Sun Devils (6-8, 0-5), who lost their fifth straight.
Brooks, who tied a season-high in points, scored 12 in the first half, including five in a 10-3 run to close out the half and send Oregon into the break up 25-17.
Kevin Kruger trimmed the Sun Devils' deficit to 48-42 with a 3-pointer at the 8:18 mark of the second half, but he then fouled Brooks on a 3-point attempt at the other end. Brooks made all three free throws and Arizona State never got any closer.
The Sun Devils, who were second in the Pac-10 with a 3-point shooting percentage of .402, made only 4-of-12 from long range in the game, and shot just 39.6 percent overall.
Oregon countered by shooting 45 percent from the field and tied a season-low with seven turnovers.